DiOlex resin 77 Caprice four door

[hedotwo]

I finally received the 77 Caprice after just a couple days short of a month wait.  Not bad considering how far it came, and that it came from Ukraine, by way of Germany.  Overall happy with the quality, the parts appear to have good detail (other than the C pillar emblems are somewhat light, but no biggie).  This is my first 3D resin and I'm surprised at how thick and sturdy the body is.  Not thick in a bad way, just thicker than I expected.  So, take a look at the pics for a better look.  I forgot to include the vacuum formed front and rear glass in these pics. Would anyone have any suggestion for a donor for the running gear?  A promo style would be fine as would a metal axle chassis.  I guess as long as I'm asking would anyone have suggestions for wheel covers that might be a close match?

[Tom Geiger]

Looks nice! I have his 78 Corolla Deluxe wagon and it’s wonderful!  He’s one of the few printers who supply the interior and other needed parts. My Corolla even had a chassis and everything fits super!

God bless the Ukraine. I hope he and his family stay safe!

Edited May 29, 2023 by Tom Geiger

[Can-Con]

Looks pretty good.

The chassis from a JoHan '77-'79 coupe Deville would be correct for this but it would need to be shortened, of course. 

The Revell Caddy lowrider would also work but probably more work.

[hedotwo]

21 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

Looks pretty good.

The chassis from a JoHan '77-'79 coupe Deville would be correct for this but it would need to be shortened, of course. 

The Revell Caddy lowrider would also work but probably more work.

I'll see if I can't find the Johan Caddy.  If not, I have a 65 Riviera that fits actually pretty well with only minor trimming.  Obviously it won't resemble the Caprice but sacrifices sometimes need to be made ?

And, the Riv stock wheel covers aren't way far from the Caprice stock covers.

Edit....  after posting I looked at ebay for those Johan Caddy snappers and after seeing the prices I guess I'd have to pass on trying to find one just to donate the running gear.  I'll likely just go with the 65 Riv in that case.

Thanks Steve

Edited May 29, 2023 by hedotwo

[bisc63]

Amt 70 Impala, 67 Impala, 66 or 70 Wildcat, Revell 65 and 66 Impala. Lots of big body kits close enough, not a lot changed under the bottom, just details like exhaust type, routing, etc.

[av405]

I wonder if the Revell 1991 Caprice chassis would be a good option? It was the recommended chassis for the Modelhaus 1981-1985 resin Impala. 

As for wheels, check out CustomSquads:

http://www.customsquads.com/uploads/1/0/3/6/10365684/cs_price_sheet_1-2018.pdf

It looks like the CS-CWC-Type 8 wheel is one of the actual wheel covers that Caprices of the era would have had, if not close to it.

[Can-Con]

1 hour ago, av405 said:

I wonder if the Revell 1991 Caprice chassis would be a good option? It was the recommended chassis for the Modelhaus 1981-1985 resin Impala. 

As for wheels, check out CustomSquads:

http://www.customsquads.com/uploads/1/0/3/6/10365684/cs_price_sheet_1-2018.pdf

It looks like the CS-CWC-Type 8 wheel is one of the actual wheel covers that Caprices of the era would have had, if not close to it.

The Revell 91 Caprices and Impala SS kits would be a great option, wish I had thought of that.  

[hedotwo]

Thanks for the suggestions...  hopefully I'll begin work on the Caprice soon and maybe post some pics as I go.

[Alison]

I would go for the Revell 1991 Caprice too, the bubble B-body cars are very similar to the square bodies underneath. But if you're going full detail you would have to change out the engine's air filter setup for a carburettor and round air cleaner.

[Rob Hall]

The Revell '91 Caprice is what I plan to use under mine.  I have the Diolex '78 Impala,  and the '77 Caprice wagon now on order..  

[hedotwo]

Been busy with summer so I haven't had a chance to do much more than prep and prime the 3d body.  I have time to look for the '91 kit, but I don't want to spend too much on a kit just to use the running gear and chassis.  It's going to end up in my display case anyway.  But, if I do find one that isn't too much I'll maybe do it.  I already modded that spare '65 Riviera chassis that I've had lying around so worst case I use that.  It fits nicely, but obviously isn't correct for the Caprice.  Definitely not going to open up the engine bay though.  The hood looks great right now and generally when I cut out a hood (even with a really thin PE saw) it never looks that good.  And again, it'll be in a case for the remainder of my lifetime, likely never wanting to open the hood anyway ?

[bisc63]

Is there a 2-door available? My dad had a 2dr. Impala with the "wraparound" back glass. I'd love to find a model.

[Rob Hall]

6 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Is there a 2-door available? My dad had a 2dr. Impala with the "wraparound" back glass. I'd love to find a model.

Redline Resins makes a ‘77 Caprice 2dr.  I have one.  It’s a bit rough, but not bad.  Needs some cleanup.  

[hedotwo]

After much sanding to remove fine printer lines I was finally able to finish prepping the body and priming.  Before color coats I test fit both front grille, front and rear bumpers and found the front grille a skosh too wide to fit properly flush with the body side.  Attached pics show various options I'd have in placing it without any mods.  I could have one side flush, but the opposite would really stick out proud.  Centering both sides leaves it less proud on both sides but still, in my opinion, looking funky.  Sanding the width isn't an option as there is nice trim surrounding the side marker lights that I'd hate to lose.  Currently from the front view the grille and headlights fit nicely to the leading edge of the hood.  I considered  trying to narrow the overall width of the assembly by cutting through the very center of the grille but the grille forms a peak in the very center that I think would be hard to save when I'd put the two pieces back together ?.  So, lacking a spare grille to experiment with, I'm probably just going to center it and move on.

As usual, I'm likely being too critical but I'm replicating a Caprice we bought new in 77 and I'd like it to be right.

Centered...

Centered...

Flush....

Passenger side when drivers side is flush...

Decent hood to grille fit when mostly centered...

Venting over and done ?

 

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Can you separate the grill from the headlights and remove a bit of material from the headlight side?

[hedotwo]

7 hours ago, Perspective Customs said:

Can you separate the grill from the headlights and remove a bit of material from the headlight side?

Hmmm...  I can take a look next time I'm on the bench with it.  Seems like it might be an option.  Thanks.